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[0:00] Lesli Margherita: A full week of Emma Olivia freaking out non-stop at 100 decibels? Do I get hazard pay for this? I may have permanent tinnitus.

[0:14] Lesli Margherita: Anyway, welcome back to As The Curtain Rises.

[0:19] Lesli Margherita: When last we left our beloved characters, they were torn between optimism that Stavros could make the whole crazy show work and dismay that they were still working together. Been there.

[0:31] Lesli Margherita: And now we're at every actor's favorite part of the process. Tech! That magical time when you stand around bored while minute adjustments are made to...

[0:42] Lesli Margherita: Uh, you know. Actually, I have no idea what they do during tech. I clear my inbox, so it's useful for something.

[0:52] Lesli Margherita: Anywho, the first preview is days away. Buckle into your Avatar Scorpion gunship. It's gonna be a wild ride. Let's see how Zoe Taylor and Bill Berloni are handling the swimming banshees, shall we?

[1:08] Ariana DeBose: Okay, everyone. Thank you so much for today. We are actually ahead of schedule, can you believe it? So, treat yourself to an extra 30 minutes of lunch today. You've earned it.

[1:22] James Monroe Iglehart: Actually, I don't have the words. I'm almost speechless.

[1:29] Lillias White: Almost doesn't count, Steve. Don't tease us.

[1:33] James Monroe Iglehart: This is the biggest show of my career, and we're ahead of schedule. Did you cut corners? Do I need to up the intro?

[1:44] Lillias White: Wanna get lunch?

[1:45] James Monroe Iglehart: Yeah, I was thinking we could go over that Act 2 water ballet with the banshees. I don't know if they'd have a water spout.

[1:50] Andrew Barth Feldman: I love how your brain works, Mr. Feldman.

[1:53] Andrew Barth Feldman: Why minimize the impact if we can avoid it by remaining physiologically truthful to the construct of these creatures?

[1:59] Lillias White: I've lived through a lot of showbanzes in my day, but this is a new one.

[2:05] James Monroe Iglehart: What? Those two? That's nothing compared to that replacement I had in Avenue Q and the puppet.

[2:12] Lillias White: Hey, you wanted to see me?

[2:18] Andrew Barth Feldman: It's really coming together. David and Natasha are hitting it out of Pandora, shall we say?

[2:25] Andrew Barth Feldman: I mean, this is crazy. I feel like I'm at Disney World.

[2:29] Lillias White: That's the ultimate Broadway goal.

[2:37] James Monroe Iglehart: Um, uh, this sounds serious. I'm all ears.

[2:41] Lillias White: We may be in the market for a new...

[2:44] Andrew Barth Feldman: Please don't say lake.

[2:46] Lillias White: Are you kidding? If we lost Davros, this whole thing would come crashing down tomorrow.

[2:50] Andrew Barth Feldman: Anna.

[2:55] Lillias White: You don't mean...

[2:56] Andrew Barth Feldman: Yeah, we do.

[2:58] Lillias White: You want to replace Emma Olivia?

[3:00] Andrew Barth Feldman: Shh!

[3:01] Andrew Barth Feldman: It's not a question of want to.

[3:03] Andrew Barth Feldman: It's a question of have to.

[3:05] Lillias White: But why? She's lost her voice. We've quietly sent her to all...

[3:14] Andrew Barth Feldman: And you know what a bad experience Ivy Lynn had with that.

[3:17] Andrew Barth Feldman: They're saying it's a combination of psychosomatic babble and vocal strain.

[3:22] Andrew Barth Feldman: One doctor said her vocal cords looked as if she'd been screaming for a week straight.

[3:32] Lillias White: So everyone just expects her to sleepwalk her way through it.

[3:36] Lillias White: But Zoe is ahead of schedule on the tech.

[3:39] Andrew Barth Feldman: Hashtag girl boss.

[3:41] Lillias White: I hear that. Which means that we don't have time to pretend this isn't a big issue.

[3:47] Lillias White: The whole industry is rooting for me to fail on this show.

[3:50] Andrew Barth Feldman: See, half this show is rooting for you to fail on this show.

[3:53] Andrew Barth Feldman: Y'all do realize that replacing a star with a star moments before a show launches is nearly impossible, right?

[3:59] Lillias White: No. We...

[4:05] Andrew Barth Feldman: Make some calls.

[4:09] Andrew Barth Feldman: Tech is wrapping up on Avatar.

[4:12] Andrew Barth Feldman: Tech is wrapping up on Avatar.

[4:15] Andrew Barth Feldman: And it's total radio silence at the Mark Hellinger.

[4:19] Andrew Barth Feldman: Especially from Emma Olivia who is basically pulling a Taylor Swift.

[4:24] Andrew Barth Feldman: I swear I saw her carded out of her apartment in a suitcase.

[4:28] Andrew Barth Feldman: And guys, it wasn't designer.

[4:31] Andrew Barth Feldman: Hashtag why bother.

[4:35] Lillias White: Hey Cheryl, it's Joe Benincasa from the Actors Fund.

[4:38] Lillias White: We are so excited about next month's Actors Fund benefit night at Avatar the Musical.

[4:44] Lillias White: We really appreciate that you've set this up. Thank you so much.

[4:47] Lillias White: You know, we sold out in five minutes.

[4:50] Lillias White: And we are all so excited.

[4:52] Lillias White: You know, I'm hearing that many will be dressed up as Navi.

[4:55] Lillias White: Are you really offering banshee rides?

[4:58] Lillias White: I have an idea about that.

[5:00] Lillias White: Call me and thanks Cheryl.

[5:03] James Monroe Iglehart: Hey Steve, it's Michael Riedel.

[5:05] James Monroe Iglehart: Just checking in to see how your blue, or I guess I should say yellow, black, magenta, whatever color you've chosen this week, theatrical extravaganza is coming along.

[5:16] James Monroe Iglehart: The whole Spider-Man team is on the edge of their web hoping you become the most expensive flop musical of all time.

[5:22] James Monroe Iglehart: But of course I know you'd never let that happen, would you?

[5:25] James Monroe Iglehart: Hope not.

[5:26] James Monroe Iglehart: Anyway, just going to make sure my primo gratis opening night seats will be waiting for me at the box office and my assistant pops by the Hellinger tomorrow to pick them up.

[5:35] James Monroe Iglehart: Appreciate it.

[5:36] James Monroe Iglehart: Take care, Steve.

[5:37] James Monroe Iglehart: I'm off to work on my Avatar opening night outfit.

[5:40] James Monroe Iglehart: Ciao, or should I say ee-wa-na-ga-woo-hoo, or na-ga-wa-wa-wa, or, well, I don't know what they're up to at this point.

[5:48] James Monroe Iglehart: I'll just say goodbye for now, Steve.

[5:50] James Monroe Iglehart: Hey Steve, it's Tim Rice here.

[5:52] James Monroe Iglehart: And I just wanted to thank you for your very kind message about my podcast, Get Onto My Cloud.

[5:58] James Monroe Iglehart: And we've received a pretty good response to that podcast over the last 50 episodes, and I'm very thrilled about it.

[6:04] James Monroe Iglehart: But to hear you say nice things, terrific.

[6:07] James Monroe Iglehart: And congratulations to you, this is perhaps even more important, on the opening of Avatar.

[6:12] James Monroe Iglehart: It was great to hear that Joseph's amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was the inspiration for the costumes.

[6:18] James Monroe Iglehart: I'm amazed.

[6:19] James Monroe Iglehart: Unfortunately, I had nothing to do with the costumes first time round, but I'm thrilled that the show has been a visual influence.

[6:26] James Monroe Iglehart: And I'll see if I can hop over for opening night, which I hope won't be too far away.

[6:31] James Monroe Iglehart: All the best for now.

[6:32] James Monroe Iglehart: Tim, bye.

[6:36] Lillias White: Hey, Deb.

[6:37] Lillias White: Well, you called it.

[6:39] Lillias White: Steve and Cheryl just filled me in on Emma Olivia.

[6:42] Lillias White: I cannot believe that we all tolerated her insanity, and then what, nothing.

[6:47] Lillias White: We may not even get to cash in on her talent.

[6:49] Lillias White: I wish you'd add little notes to producers and directors, warning them when an actor isn't worth the trouble.

[6:55] Lillias White: Okay, I do.

[6:56] Lillias White: They just don't care.

[6:58] Lillias White: So what's the next step?

[6:59] Lillias White: I'm going to make some insane last-minute calls, see if I can make a miracle happen.

[7:04] Lillias White: Finding a last-minute buzzy replacement for Avatar is like teaching my mini-doodle Cheetah to play the violin.

[7:10] Lillias White: Good luck with that.

[7:11] Lillias White: Maybe Emma Olivia will rally?

[7:14] Lillias White: Drama if she does, drama if she doesn't.

[7:18] Adrienne Warren: Hi, Deb. It's Adrienne Warren calling back to, um, thank you, I think, for inviting me to star in Avatar the Musical on Broadway just days before first preview.

[7:31] Adrienne Warren: You know I love challenges.

[7:34] Adrienne Warren: All right, no, but I'm actually off shooting a Jay-Z and Will Smith TV series right now, and I have many projects lined up behind that, so starting tomorrow just isn't a possibility.

[7:46] Adrienne Warren: But all the best with that, Deb.

[7:48] Adrienne Warren: And please, please, please do tell Steve and Cheryl that I really appreciate their thinking of me.

[7:53] Adrienne Warren: Okay, bye.

[7:56] Patti Murin: Debs, hey, it's Patti Murin.

[7:58] Patti Murin: Um, I got your call.

[8:00] Patti Murin: Thank you so much for even thinking of me.

[8:03] Patti Murin: Um, I wish that I could join Avatar the Musical, um, like tomorrow, but I, um, I have a baby.

[8:13] Patti Murin: I have a baby.

[8:14] Patti Murin: So, um, yeah, I don't know if that's going to work, you know.

[8:18] Patti Murin: That's sort of what I'm, like, doing right now.

[8:21] Patti Murin: Um, well, like, obviously I love musicals and all that stuff.

[8:25] Patti Murin: Like, I just, um, you know, baby.

[8:29] Patti Murin: Baby.

[8:30] Patti Murin: I have a baby.

[8:31] Patti Murin: I'm like, what? Who gave me a baby?

[8:34] Patti Murin: Um, but thank you so much, and I do hope that you find someone, and that's really exciting.

[8:39] Patti Murin: Um, all right, call me. Let's go get some wine soon.

[8:45] Lesli Margherita: Spotted. Bobby and Thomas having a cozy, romantic Italian ta-ta-tat just days before previews begin.

[8:54] Lesli Margherita: What do you think they enjoyed nibbling on more? Each other or that delicious calamari?

[8:57] Lesli Margherita: Hashtag, please, sir, I'll have some more.

[9:01] Lesli Margherita: So, where is everyone else? I thought this was a team meeting.

[9:09] Lillias White: I'm sure they'll be here soon.

[9:12] Lillias White: Or maybe not.

[9:13] Lesli Margherita: What?

[9:14] Lesli Margherita: I hope you don't mind that I already ordered some apps.

[9:17] Lillias White: I know how much you love calamari.

[9:19] Lesli Margherita: Oh. Oh, that's so nice. Thanks.

[9:23] Lesli Margherita: Mm. You know, I had my doubts when you told me to meet you at a restaurant called Pasta Lovers, but this is actually great.

[9:31] Lillias White: Right? But I can't take credit for it, though. Ferns be-clued me in. It's a great spot to have some privacy in the middle of the theater district.

[9:40] Lillias White: You know what it can't be like, you know, being recognized by fans all the time.

[9:44] Thomas: Thomas, we're writers. No one recognizes us.

[9:46] Thomas: We're lucky if we even get our Tony Award categories broadcast.

[9:51] Lillias White: While we're alone, I did want to talk to you about something.

[9:55] Lillias White: Not Avatar-related.

[9:58] Thomas: Mm.

[9:59] Lillias White: Is it this calamari? Because I will talk about it all day long if, uh...

[10:02] Lillias White: I know Kay left you.

[10:03] Thomas: No, no, no. She's just taking time to work on a new project and wanted some space.

[10:08] Thomas: Okay, yes, she has temporarily moved out.

[10:11] Lillias White: And I'd like to temporarily move in.

[10:13] Thomas: What?

[10:14] Thomas: Like, into the guest room?

[10:16] Lillias White: No, Bobby. That was a metaphor.

[10:17] Lillias White: The point is, I want you back.

[10:21] Thomas: We've been doing this dance ever since that day in Staten Island.

[10:25] Lillias White: I'm ready to request a new song.

[10:27] Thomas: What dance?

[10:28] Lillias White: Ah, the flirting, the coyness, playing hard to get.

[10:32] Thomas: I'm not playing. I am hard to get.

[10:34] Lillias White: Thomas, I don't know what signals you have been misreading, but I'm with Kay.

[10:39] Thomas: And yet Kay isn't with you.

[10:41] Lillias White: Because of you!

[10:43] Thomas: Because of all the looks and the comments.

[10:45] Thomas: Not to mention the professional jealousy.

[10:47] Lillias White: Which is, granted, all on her.

[10:49] Thomas: But you have been winding her up this whole time.

[10:53] Lillias White: And me. All the flirting.

[10:56] Thomas: You actually meant it.

[10:58] Lillias White: Thomas, we're divorced.

[11:01] Lillias White: And that is not changing.

[11:02] Thomas: Oh, come on, Bobby. I know that thought has more than crossed your mind.

[11:06] Lillias White: Yes, Thomas, it has. Only long enough for me to be 1,000% unequivocably sure that whatever it is we had ended long, long ago.

[11:15] Thomas: Poor Bobby.

[11:17] Thomas: Well, maybe the third marriage will be the lucky one.

[11:21] Lillias White: I think you need to leave.

[11:24] Thomas: Fair enough.

[11:25] Thomas: Oh, don't bother sticking around. No one else is showing up.

[11:29] Lillias White: What?

[11:30] Lillias White: Figures.

[11:32] Lillias White: Three's a crowd.

[11:33] Lillias White: Out of here.

[11:34] Lillias White: Excuse me. Could I get another order of calamari to go, please?

[11:41] Lesli Margherita: Mm-mm-mm. Smell that garlic. Good move on all fronts, Bobby. Particularly that second order of calamari.

[11:48] Lesli Margherita: Well, where are we otherwise? Emma Olivia can't speak at the moment, which in so many ways is cause for celebration.

[11:56] Lesli Margherita: But her inner monologue is deafening.

[11:58] Lesli Margherita: So while I'm sitting here waiting for my next line of narration, I'm going to go on Amazon and invest in some top-end noise-canceling headphones.

[12:09] Lesli Margherita: Look at him. Sitting there doing crunches, not even realizing that we have the invited dress in just a few days.

[12:16] Lesli Margherita: No, no, no, no. I bet he does realize it, and he's secretly excited that I am out of commission so that he can get all the attention for himself.

[12:27] Lesli Margherita: Well, I have to give him credit, even if I didn't see this coming. Making me so angry by treating me so well that I lost my voice.

[12:37] Lesli Margherita: He is absolutely the most vicious, manipulative piece of...

[12:41] Lillias White: Emmy, anything I can get you?

[12:43] Lillias White: You were just staring at me just now. Do you want me to take my shirt off while I do these crunches?

[12:48] Lillias White: Would that make you feel better?

[12:50] Lillias White: Look, I know all these features about the show got you a little down, plus your voice problems.

[12:56] Lillias White: I know this isn't an easy time for you, and I want to be here.

[12:59] Emma Olivia: I owe you everything. And the sad thing is, it would make me feel better. I do want to see Stavros doing shirtless crunches, but no. No. That is how I got into this mess in the first place. Oh, oh, oh, Emma, Emma, Emma, you refuse to be a victim here. No. Even if it is clear that everyone has been out to get me from the start and Fernsby won't even reply to my texts now. Oh, where is my Magnolia delivery anyway? I'm usually ears deep in banana plating by now. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. That's it. He was just using me to get into the show to get another piece of the pie. Oh, that is it. And I am completely, utterly alone. Alone, lonely, solitary. Totally alone. Do you mind if I run through my big monologue for you?

The one in Act 2, not the one in Act 1. Oh, my God, and now I have to listen to an actor perform? I didn't even do this during the show. This is the cruelest punishment. It is everyone else's fault. No, I will not stand for it. I won't sit for it. I won't let this happen to me. If I can't be the star of the show, there will be no show.

[14:21] Bobby: Ah, there's that smile. You've reached Bobby and Kay's, where, yes, I went out and bought an answering machine from the Salvation Army and set it up so I could say, Kay, please come home. We belong together. I know how much you love a big gesture, so here it is. I love you. Also, you'll probably call my cell before you call our landline, so I'm going to do the same thing there. There you are, Kay, finally. What is going on over at your apartment? Did you move out? Gee, did I want to get out of the apartment I share with my husband while he weakly fends off his besotted ex-husband and indulges in secret pasta getaways while our careers come tumbling down around our ears as Avatar falls flat on its no longer blue face?

Well, yes, Fernsby, guilty as charged. I guess I'm just whimsical like that. Good thing I got this Union Hotel thing going for you, huh? Interesting fact about that. Did you know that Debra is the in-house casting director in Amazon? Oh, uh... I'm guessing you didn't, or you wouldn't have made up a story about Amazon being interested in my book. I'd say premature, not made up, but... And another interesting fact that came up during an, oh, informal call with my lawyer. You're not legally empowered to represent me or Bobby. We work directly with Charles under a very specific contract that Bobby had drawn up after our last agency's junior agent absconded. Fun word, right? Absconded with the agency's money.

[16:01] Fernsby: Okay. Okay, come on, this is crazy. We're... we're friends.

[16:04] Kay: No, Fernsby, we were remote colleagues. Actually, no, you were some low-level wannabe who worked for my agent. Past tense. Have you been in contact with Charles?

[16:11] Fernsby: Goodbye, Fernsby.

[16:13] Emma Olivia: No, no, don't hang up on me. Answer my question. Did you?

[16:17] Fernsby: Who the hell is this?

[16:19] Emma Olivia: I don't do a phone.

[16:21] Fernsby: Emma Olivia! How's my favorite star feeling?

[16:24] Emma Olivia: Who is this?

[16:26] Fernsby: LOL, it's Fernsby.

[16:29] Emma Olivia: Oh, right, yeah. The guy who tried to land my boyfriend, co-star, and sworn rival as a client. Isn't that what Stanford said? Look, I didn't want to tell you, but I think you may have a drinking problem.

[16:35] Fernsby: Uh, yeah, no. Not with that percentage body fat. Check your email, Fernsby. Your agent should have requested all of the paperwork be sent over.

[16:48] Receptionist: Hello, you've reached C-A-A-A. The extra A is because we care. How may I help you?

[16:54] Fernsby: I'm looking for Agent Maxwell Fernsby.

[16:56] Receptionist: Really?

[16:57] Fernsby: Really? Yes, really.

[16:59] Receptionist: Okey-dokey, if you insist. But I could make other recommendations, if you'd like.

[17:04] Fernsby: What?

[17:05] Receptionist: And, by the way, I hear you may be looking for an Emma Olivia, um, replacement? A triple threat who could solve all your problems.

[17:12] Fernsby: Um... Just saying, putting you through now.

[17:16] Fernsby: Hello, it's Fer... it's Fer... Fernsby!

[17:19] Thomas: Fernsby? Boy, am I glad to hear from you, Thomas. I hope what I have to say won't change that.

[17:25] Fernsby: Uh-oh, that doesn't sound good. I want out.

[17:30] Thomas: Of the city? For a vacation? Please tell me that's what you're saying. Whatever changes need to happen in previews, let K or Bobby do them. This whole thing was a huge mistake. Oh, I never should have listened to you, Fernsby. Bobby never had any interest in getting back together. You just made the whole thing up, didn't you, Fernsby?

[17:49] Fernsby: Oh, uh... But my actions are my actions, and I can't hold you accountable for the things I do. Even if they are informed mostly by the bad information you give me. Just fix it so I can never have to see either of them again. The farther I get away from this disaster, the better.

[18:08] Thomas: Thomas, my friend. I never pegged you as a quitter.

[18:13] Fernsby: I hate to tell you this, Fernsby, but we're not friends. You barely even know me. Just make it happen.

[18:20] Thomas: But, Thomas?

[18:24] Fernsby: Hello? Hello?

[18:26] Thomas: No, no, no, no, no.

[18:32] Narrator: So, Maxwell's rise to the top is now on a deadly plummet to rock bottom. Smarmy book writer Thomas has left the show, leaving the creative destiny of Avatar in the fragile hands of estranged partners Bobby and Kay. And, of course, Diva, with a giant capital D, Emma Olivia, is doing everything she can to live down to her already unhinged reputation. Sounds like a great idea for a new musical. So, Deborah, did you hear back from anyone?

[19:02] Deborah: Adrian Warren would be magnificent.

[19:05] Narrator: Yes, no question about that. But no, no, I'm sorry, that's... Guys, no one on our list is gonna be game to step into a massive starring role seconds before a show opens. You know, go figure. No, no. We start previews in hours, and we don't have a leading lady. What the hell?

[19:25] Emma Olivia: Hey, your leading lady is right here.

[19:29] Narrator: There's that famous charm we all tolerate. I know this is frustrating and nerve-wracking, but Emma Olivia is a pro. She's done this for years and years and years. The point is, I know she'll be ready by the time we have an audience.

[19:46] Kay: That's in two days, Stavros. Emma Olivia is a strong, powerful, independent woman, and she does not need us to be pushing and prodding and giving her orders about her health.

[19:56] Bobby: Oh, absolutely. And yet, we do need a leading lady who can, you know, speak.

[20:03] Kay: I agree with Kay. She can't sing. She can't even talk. She's not going to be ready to belt in two days.

[20:08] Bobby: Kay is absolutely right.

[20:10] Kay: Not now, Bobby. Keep it at home, you two.

[20:13] Bobby: Couldn't agree more. Let's keep it at home. Okay, why try to teach this massive role to someone new when we must have someone who already knows it right here? Given Emma Olivia's vocal challenges, we've got to identify someone in the ensemble who can understudy, just in case, right?

[20:29] Emma Olivia: Oh, Emma Olivia just texted me. She says, understudy? No way! I am Emma Olivia. And then she has, like, 11 cry-laughing emojis.

[20:43] Kay: Ha ha. Cute. It is because you are Emma Olivia that we urgently need an understudy.

[20:50] Emma Olivia: Wait, there's more. She says, check out 8B in my contract. No understudies. Ha ha ha. And then three exploding head emojis.

[21:03] Bobby: Hmm. We've got to cancel previews.

[21:06] Kay: What?

[21:07] Bobby: What choice do we have? Throw someone in that has a fraction of Emma Olivia's talent and doesn't know Avatar and watch the show crash and burn or bite the financial bullet, skip previews, and have a thrilling, albeit nail-biting, opening night.

[21:24] Kay: That isn't a choice. That's two totally no-win miserable options. Ugh. Again, we agree on something. Amazing. Call a team meeting. Previews are canceled.

[21:36] Emma Olivia: Guys, I hear Avatar is desperate for an understudy or, dare I say, replacement for Emma Olivia while she awaits the return of her voice. Yoo-hoo! Cheryl? Steve? Hello? I'm ready for my banshee ride to the top. Hashtag just say when.

[22:00] Narrator: Well, this is epically messy. Talk about a theatrical event. Or non-event, given that the eagerly awaited previews have been canceled. Will Emma Olivia recover in time to reclaim center stage on opening night? Will Stavros actually ever get to open in Avatar? Will Emma Olivia let him? Will Bobby and Kay shoulder all of the blame now that Thomas is out of the picture? Is the show destined for a special spot on the wall at Joe Allen's? And what is to become of Maxwell Fernsby? Tune in next week for all of the answers because it's the season finale.

[22:41] Narrator: Yes! Thank you from the bottom of our cold hearts for listening to As the Curtain Rises, a gargantuan thanks to our brilliant cast. James Monroe Iglehart as producer Steve Jones, Lillias White as producer Cheryl Phillips, Ashley Park as book writer-lyricist Kay Fields, Michael Urie as composer Bobby Kearns, Sarah Stiles as diva Emma Olivia, George Salazar as agent Maxwell Fernsby in the bathroom, Ariana DeBose as director-choreographer Zoe Taylor, Andrew Barth Feldman as science consultant Andrew Barth Feldman, Ramin Karimloo as the dreamy Stavros, Bonnie Milligan as casting director Deborah Hannaford, Lesli Margherita as the Broadway disher, Ilana Levine as the CAAA receptionist, Mauricio Martinez as Thomas, our Avatar cast members Alan Seales, Brittany Bigelow, Lauren LaBoeuf, Marty McGuire, and Jake Smith, and me, the incredible two-time Tony Award loser Alex Brightman as the narrator!

[24:05] Narrator: Also, huge, gigantic, stupendous thanks to our phone message leavers, Adrian Warren, Patty Murin, Joe Benincasa, president and CEO of The Actors Fund, author, columnist, and radio host Michael Riedel, and legend Sir Tim Rice, written by Dory Berenstein and Mark Pykert, directed by Dory Berenstein, music, sound editing, and design by Bart Fassbender, Avatar music by Matthew Sklar, sound engineering by Alan Seales, fancy wrangling by the wonderful Bill Berloni, produced by Dory Berenstein, Alan Seales, and the Broadway Podcast Network, associate producers Brittany Bigelow and Marty McGuire, associate directed and sound edited by Marty McGuire, executive produced by Liz Armstrong, and absolutely everything else by our extraordinary BPN team, Brittany Bigelow, Joanna Nikolova, Katie Rosen, Cindy Schatz, and Beatriz Westby, As The Curtain Rises was created and recorded entirely in quarantine.

[25:22] Narrator: This Broadway soap opera celebrates and supports The Actors Fund and the BPN Frontline Worker Initiative, which you can find at bpn.fm slash frontlineworkers. That's bpn.fm slash frontlineworkers. And finally, a very special thanks to our producing partner, Liz Armstrong, for your extraordinary support and inspiration. Buh-bye!